Would you pay 10 dollars to sleep on the street? Faktum Hotel in Gothenberg, Sweden is hoping your answer is yes. The hotel is a project of Swedish interactive agency Forsman and Bodenfors. Faktum is comprised of 10 different “rooms” located throughout the city – under bridges, next to a football stadium, in a park – essentially wherever a homeless person may set up camp for the night. Faktum elegantly describes a “room” in a park:
It offers a central city view with all facilities within easy reach. Outside the beautiful towering Hagakyrkan, and among Haga’s cobbled streets you will find both cozy cafes and exciting second-hand stores.
Faktum is a fictional hotel, and the agency created it to raise awareness about the 3,4000 homeless people living in Gothenberg. Forsman and Bodenfors is working to promote Gothenberg’s street newspaper “Faktum” which aims to raise awareness for the homeless dilemma in the city and is sold by the homeless themselves.
“We work to arouse debate and opinion about homelessness and isolation, but above all we provide those most in need with an occupation. This helps them to take a step towards a more structured life, as the work of a salesperson involves responsibility, routine and the opportunity for a positive social exchange. Things that are vitally important when trying to find somewhere to live. Or build a life, for that matter.”
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